Their demands are focused on three main areas: formal recognition of their association, concrete plans to protect Jewish students, and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
Their demands are focused on three main areas: formal recognition of their association, concrete plans to protect Jewish students, and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
The recent movement by over 1,600 Harvard University alumni to withhold donations until the university addresses campus antisemitism reflects a broader challenge facing higher education institutions in the United States.
This ugly development, sparked by concerns over the Israel-Hamas conflict, has escalated to include high-profile alumni like Pershing Square Founder Bill Ackman and former Victoria’s Secret CEO Leslie Wexner. They, along with a significant number of alumni, are voicing their concern over the perceived rise in antisemitic incidents and rhetoric at Harvard.
“We never thought that, at Harvard College, we would have to argue the point that terrorism against civilians demands immediate and unequivocal condemnation. We never thought we would have to argue for recognition of our own humanity,” wrote members of the Harvard College Jewish Alumni Association (HCJAA) in an open letter to President Claudine Gay and Harvard College Dean Rakesh Khurana.
This movement is not solely about large donations from high-net-worth individuals; it represents a broader coalition of alumni.
The Harvard College Jewish Alumni Association (HCJAA), a recently formed group, has been at the forefront of these efforts. Their demands are focused on three main areas: formal recognition of their association, concrete plans to protect Jewish students, and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
“We now have a movement of over 1,600 alumni who are calling for meaningful reforms on campus to ensure that every student is safe.
“This is a broad and growing intergenerational movement of alumni from many different sectors and industries. Yes, some of them are very influential donors, and some of them are sort of more normal-sized donors. But we’re speaking in one unified voice in response to this moment,” Rebecca Claire Brooks, co-founder of the HCJAA, told CNN.
Harvard’s response, as articulated by President Claudine Gay, shows the university’s commitment to combating all forms of hate, including antisemitism. The administration has begun examining how antisemitism manifests within the Harvard community and is implementing educational and training programs to address this issue.
According to her, “Harvard rejects all forms of hate, and we are committed to addressing them. Let me reiterate what I and other Harvard leaders have said previously: Antisemitism has no place at Harvard.”
The school has “started the process of examining how antisemitism manifests within our community” and will “implement a robust program of education and training for students, faculty, and staff on antisemitism broadly and at Harvard specifically,” she said.
The school is equally “seeking to identify external partnerships that will allow Harvard to learn from and work with others on our strategy,” she added.
This response indicates a recognition of the issue and a willingness to engage in solutions, although the specifics and effectiveness of these measures remain to be seen.
The financial implications of this movement are significant. Philanthropy is a major revenue stream for Harvard, accounting for a substantial portion of its annual income and endowment. While large donations often come with specific stipulations, smaller donations provide more flexibility in their utilization. This fact highlights the potential impact of a broad-based donor movement, irrespective of the individual amounts involved.
The grassroots nature of this movement, described by Rebecca Claire Brooks, a co-founder of the HCJAA, emphasizes its inclusive and egalitarian character. It allows alumni of all financial backgrounds to participate and express their concerns, potentially leading to a more democratic and representative form of alumni engagement.
Brooks said, “I wanted to make it possible for people, regardless of their income, to express their disappointment, their dissatisfaction or heartbreak with university.
“This is an egalitarian grassroots movement where any donor, no matter their religion or age, no matter how much they would otherwise normally contribute, can participate in the pledge in sending a clear signal that this type of toxic campus culture is detrimental to everyone”
The HCJAA’s actions have inspired similar movements at other institutions, indicating a possible shift in how alumni interact with their alma maters, particularly around social and political issues. The case of over 300 Cooper Union alumni threatening to end donations over the school’s handling of anti-Israel protests is another example of this trend.
“The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority, and we take every instance of discrimination that is reported to us seriously,” Cooper Union alumni’s spokesperson said.
This suggests a growing willingness among alumni to leverage their financial contributions as a means of influencing university policies and culture.
Universities have traditionally relied on the engagement and financial support of their alumni. The current situation at Harvard and other institutions suggests a reevaluation of this relationship. As alumni become more vocal and organized around specific issues, universities may need to adapt their strategies to engage with this important stakeholder group.
The movement by Harvard alumni to withhold donations is part of a larger trend where alumni are using their financial influence to address social and political issues on campus. This shift represents a challenge to traditional university-alumni relations and highlights the need for institutions to actively engage with and respond to the concerns of their alumni communities.
As this trend continues, it will be crucial for universities to balance the diverse interests and values of their stakeholders while maintaining their commitment to academic freedom and institutional integrity.
